Tinubu Has Confirmed ‘Don’t Vote for Me’ on Power — Obi Holds President to 2023 Campaign Promise as Electricity Crisis Deepens”

 

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu over Nigeria’s persistent electricity crisis, invoking the president’s own 2023 campaign pledge that Nigerians should deny him a second term if he fails to deliver constant power within four years.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, April 4, 2026, Obi titled his intervention: “Tinubu in Jos Confirms ‘Don’t Vote for Me’ Prediction on Power Supply.”

He quoted Tinubu’s campaign promise verbatim: “If I don’t give you constant electricity in four years, don’t vote for me for a second term.”

Obi argued that the current state of power supply has fallen short of that commitment. “When he took office in 2023, Nigeria had a power supply of over 4,000 megawatts and lower tariffs. Today, the electricity power supply is less than 4,000 megawatts on the average, and Nigerians are paying higher tariffs,” he said.8ec274

The Labour Party’s 2023 flag bearer pointed to President Tinubu’s recent brief stopover at Jos airport on Thursday, April 2, 2026, while visiting families affected by attacks in Plateau State. According to Obi, Tinubu remarked that one reason for his short 10-minute stay was the lack of electricity at the facility, saying: “You have no light here — I fly out in ten minutes.”

Obi described this as “a glaring display of disregard for promises and a lack of trust.” He added: “At a time when Nigerians are enduring days without power, our leaders cannot even stay a few minutes without it.”f15a9c

The criticism comes amid recurring national grid collapses and widespread blackouts that have continued into 2026. Obi also highlighted Nigeria’s low per capita electricity consumption, claiming it is the lowest in the world and below 30% of the African average (Nigeria at about 144 kWh versus Africa’s 617 kWh average), though independent data shows generation fluctuating around or occasionally below the 4,000 MW mark seen earlier in the administration due to gas supply constraints and other challenges.

This is not the first time Obi has referenced Tinubu’s campaign statement. Similar reminders have surfaced in previous months whenever major grid failures occurred, with videos of the original promise resurfacing online amid public frustration over unreliable supply and rising tariffs.

The Tinubu administration has faced ongoing scrutiny over the power sector, with critics pointing to persistent issues in generation, transmission, and distribution despite reforms and privatisation efforts dating back to 2013. Supporters of the government argue that structural problems, including fuel supply shortages to thermal plants and infrastructure deficits, require sustained investment beyond short-term fixes.

As Nigeria approaches future electoral cycles, Obi’s intervention frames the electricity crisis as a direct test of leadership accountability, urging citizens to hold political leaders to their words.

“Powerful words were spoken. The reality on ground sharply contradicts the promise and should worry every patriotic Nigerian,” Obi stated.

The presidency is yet to issue an official response to Obi’s latest remarks as of the time of filing this report.